What to Expect from the Rams Rookies/ Wagoner

[RamBill]

What to expect from Rams rookies drafted in first three rounds
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...om-rams-rookies-drafted-in-first-three-rounds

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams' rookie class reports for duty Monday, with the veterans joining them Wednesday and training camp officially starting Friday.

With that in mind, let's rewind to the 2015 NFL draft and offer some thoughts on what to expect from the members of this year's Rams draft class as we head into training camp and beyond. We'll start with the first four picks and take care of the rest in a post later Monday.

RB Todd Gurley, first round: Gurley is expected to begin training camp on the non-football injury list. That's not a surprise for anyone who has been paying attention, and it's not at all a sign of a setback in his recovery from a torn left ACL. Landing on the NFI list means the Rams can activate him whenever they see fit with no real restrictions. In other words, when they deem Gurley healthy, he can return to the field. Gurley told me at the end of organized team activities that he hopes to do some individual drills in the early parts of camp and ease his way into full team drills after that. Those still seem like possible goals, and if he stays on that track he could still theoretically be ready for the start of the season. The Rams don't intend to rush him back, but predictions of holding him out until after the bye week are too far flung. Barring a setback, Gurley will likely return sooner than later. When he does, it's safe to assume Gurley will quickly become a focal point of the offense.

OT Rob Havenstein, second round: There's little to no mystery about where Havenstein fits going into camp and going into the season. He's the team's starting right tackle, and only an injury or some major struggles could do anything to change that. After letting Joe Barksdale walk in free agency and spending a second-round choice on Havenstein, the writing was on the wall. Rams coach Jeff Fisher envisions Havenstein filling the role of mauling right tackle similar to how Jon Runyan once did for him with the Tennessee Titans. This camp will provide plenty of tests for Havenstein, and his learning curve will be steep given matchups against the Rams' bevy of pass-rushers on a daily basis. That should only help him as he works to improve as a pass protector, the biggest question mark he faces entering the season.

OG Jamon Brown, third round: Much like Havenstein, Brown's spot was pretty clear almost from the moment he was drafted. The Rams said goodbye to starting guard Davin Joseph in the offseason and wanted to get younger on the line. Enter converted tackle Brown to the vacant spot at right guard. Brown worked with the first team at that position all through the offseason program, and Rams coaches have quietly been touting his potential to help out right away. He'll have some work to do as he adjusts to the move inside and will also have some adjustment and improvement to make in pass protection. But the expectation for him to start and have success in the run game right away remains.

QB Sean Mannion, third round: Of the Rams' first four picks, only Mannion doesn't come with some sort of immediate expectations. In a league where young signal-callers are often thrust into duty too soon only to fail, that's a good thing for Mannion. In fact, he won't even be asked to be the team's primary backup right away. That battle will come down to Austin Davis versus Case Keenum, with Mannion sticking around to be the No. 3. This camp and likely this season will offer Mannion an opportunity to adjust to the speed of NFL defenders, learn the offensive system and develop rapport with his teammates. It should also give him a chance to speed up his delivery a bit, one of the biggest concerns scouts had about him entering the draft.

 

[RamBill]

What to expect from Rams rookies drafted in final four rounds
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...rom-rams-rookies-drafted-in-final-four-rounds

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams rookie class reports for duty today with the veterans joining them on Wednesday and training camp officially starting Friday.

With that in mind, let's rewind to the 2015 NFL draft and offer some thoughts on what to expect from the members of this year's draft class as we head into training camp and beyond. Earlier today, we looked at the picks from the first three rounds, now we'll examine the rest of the group.

OT Andrew Donnal, fourth round: The third of four (eventually five) offensive linemen drafted by the Rams, Donnal probably won't be asked to do much but offer solid depth in his first camp and season with the team. He comes to the Rams with plenty of experience and part of his training camp could be spent on working on some versatility so that he can help at guard or tackle. But the Rams signed veteran Garrett Reynolds in the offseason and he figures to be the first lineman off the bench in the event of injury or struggles at any spot except center. Which means Donnal will have some time to get acclimated before much is expected of him.

WR Bud Sasser, sixth round: Unfortunately for Sasser, a medical condition left him unable to be cleared to play for the Rams and he was released in the spring.

OG Cody Wichmann, sixth round: Much like Donnal, Wichmann's top priority will be working to add depth to the interior of the offensive line. The Rams seem to be well stocked with options and assuming Reynolds is the primary backup at both tackle and both guard spots, Wichmann would be the guard equivalent of Donnal at tackle. For Wichmann, though, it seems a roster spot is not guaranteed. His future could depend greatly on who wins the center battle and his ability to offer some semblance of versatility. For backup linemen in this league, especially for the Rams, the ability to play multiple positions is often a golden ticket to a roster spot.

LB Bryce Hager, seventh round: The Rams aren't exactly flush with depth at linebacker which means there could be a clear path for Hager to win a spot on the 53-man roster out of camp. Behind the starters, the Rams have the loser of the strong side job between Akeem Ayers and Jo-Lonn Dunbar and special teams ace Daren Bates. They figure to keep about six at the position and Hager would seem to have as good a chance as any to earn his way to the roster. For Hager, his primary job in camp will be proving himself on special teams. There isn't much expected of him in the way of contributing to the defense but if he can be a core special teams player, he should be able to stick.

DL Martin Ifedi, seventh round: Ifedi gets the honor of being the next seventh-round lineman attempting to elbow his way through a crowded group on the defensive line. Of course, Ifedi will come without the attention of last year's seventh-round end Michael Sam. The Rams have traditionally gone heavy on defensive linemen, keeping nine or 10 which would give Ifedi a shot. Similar to the offensive linemen, the ability to play inside and out would be a boon for Ifedi's chances. He'll likely find himself in a tight competition with the likes of defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat and Ethan Westbrooks for a potential eighth or ninth spot on the line.

OT Isaiah Battle, fifth round (supplemental): Rams general manager Les Snead essentially left no room for guessing on what Battle's role will be in 2015. Snead even went so far to use the term "redshirt year" when discussing Battle's first season. In other words, he's not expected to contribute right away and will get to add strength and learn the offense in his first year. Still, it seems unlikely the Rams will be able to stash him on the practice squad in the first year so he will have to take up a roster spot in the meantime. In the long term, though, some believe Battle could eventually push Havenstein for the right tackle job if he develops as expected.